Thank you for these incredible pictures.
I really like the "stop and take time to really see the surroundings" -attitude.

Spoken from all across the pond (the Netherlands) , it really inspires me to work even harder to get to explore that beautiful country of yours, one fine day.

Thanks Erik. I know it's the internet but I'm still amazed how I can show somebody on the other side of the world my backyard and it does something for you. Glad you left a note on the thread.

As far as the "stop and take time to really see the surroundings" -attitude I really had a fine example of that this last weekend. Somehow I managed to turn only 250 miles into an 18 hour ride! That's a lot of looking around. But that was the point of this particular ride.

It's a time of year I really look forward to, and any locals should pay attention if you like what I do. While the high Sierra Passes are still closed, my favorite, Sonora Pass (Hwy 108), was opened to Kennedy Meadows . This is only about 10 miles from the actual pass, and while tons of goodness waits up top ,the highway to that point has some of my favorite sights. Better yet, it's currently a dead end, one way in and back out,this is what makes it special for a few weeks here. Most won't bother to ride it because you can't go through, and until fishing season opens the sportsman don't bother either. ALL MINE! No traffic, no law enforcement , very few people . Being it's such a short ride I'm forced to take my time, or I could be thee and back home before lunch.

The ride starts up through the foothills and as I get into the trees the smell of pine inside my helmet had me let out an audible "oh yeah!". I did refrain from doing a fist pump motion in the air though. Again, with the drought, the snow level is high and mostly small patches. I'm probably one of the few riders out here that will complain there isn't enough snow close to the road...in my book that adds character. Some of the shaded sections still have enough to make a postcard ride, isn't this way more interesting than summer??

First stop of the day has me at a familiar spot I almost always stop at. I've photographed it from every angle/condition and didn't think today would be special, but still wanted to walk to the edge for a look and enjoy the moment. Funny how when I'm not expecting much the light will show a subtle detail that makes it a moment.

Probably killed an hour there...what a way to waste time huh? Just for quick reference here's one of my favorite shots of these narrows I took a few years ago

Not much further up the hill every direction is simply the grandeur that brings me back. I still think tiny sections of this area would be the highlight of many parks and here the are almost run-of-the-mill until you take it in and notice each one.

O.K., now it's story time. I turn into Kennedy Meadows and ride down to the pack station which is abandoned for the most part except one old timer shoveling snow, being it's the two of us out there I roll over to talk. Right away we strike up a conversation about the local area, and I mention I'm always looking for unique photos. He informs me that he has a photo of what they think might be Bigfoot down by the river. When he says he has it with him I was off the bike anxious to see.

Seems one of the caretakers was taking shots of the river with a camera phone, and it wasn't until later on the computer they saw a shape that doesn't belong . Looking at the photo it MUST be authentic, because like any true bigfoot sighting it was blurry with little detail, but still I could see what they were talking about. Knowing how shadows and tree stumps can play tricks on the mind I immediately question what else it could be. He then offers to show me where it was taken, which I took him up on, and he also offers me a beer (love mountain folk).

By lining up reference points I think I was pretty close to where the shooter was standing, looking across the river, everything else was there except "Bigfoot". I couldn't even come up with something that could be mistaken for it. Now I'm a pretty logical guy, but I also love lore. I don't know what it was in the picture, but I do know for certain there was something in the photo that isn't there now.

My new friend "Crusty" showing me the sighting spot.

I hung out awhile shooting the breeze. Day was flying by, but I wasn't going to screw it up by being in a hurry. Thought I'd swing by "Columns of the Giants" for a quick look. If you've never been there, stop next time, it's a 10 minute walk from the road. Crazy volcanic rock formations similar to Devils Postpile, and actually quite a bit bigger.

This shot shows MAYBE 25% of the ridge, it's so big it's hard to take in.

I'd been there by myself for maybe 20 minutes when I heard a distant yell and realized I wasn't alone. Pulled out the Telephoto lens for a look at other enjoying the moment in their favorite way.

A guy and a gal doing it instead of dreaming. Cool stuff. (sorry for the size of this photo but you just have to see the detail)

I continued to ride to many of my favorite spots that I haven't seen since fall just to check their status. Wow it's already getting that wonderful late day light that is so inviting but also makes you realize the day is winding down. Still in no hurry.

An evening moonrise just adds to the day.

Didn't really try hard for a sunset photo, just sat and took it all in. By the time I got rolling the sun was down and I was in the Twilight Zone. Looking at the large moon had me thinking about night photography and making plans for a "later" date. Then I said why not now? no better time than the present......that AND I really wasn't ready to go home yet.

How many of you have stopped at Donnells Vista? Probably many as it's a popular spot and the view from the cliff is spectacular. How many of you have rolled in after dark with the place all to yourself and walked down to the overlook? Probably not as many. The moon lit up the granite like a dream-scape, no flashlight needed.

These trees always have character, even more after dark.

Falling stars over the reservoir. (well, actually the movement of the Earth, but falling stars sound way more romantic)

This is the sort of thing I live for. Looking at scenes I can't believe are real WHILE I'm looking at them.

I hung out until about 11pm enjoying it all. I didn't even realize temps had already dropped into the 30s until I noticed my breath and the wet seat on my bike as I mounted up. Home around 1 am. For not having a plan (like I ever do) the day sure was packed full of life long memories made.

Do you use a tripod on all photo's? I don't seen one strapped to your mount. And how much camera gear do you pack?

Most of the photos are handheld, I do pull out my tripod for anything long exposure like the night shots and moving water. Yes, I carry one in my Jessie bags, If I'm traveling and need the space for something else I'll strap it on top.

I carry , my Camera and 4 lenses and a few filters, a kit that works pretty well for me. I also bring a second camera, a P&S that does amazing Macro and doubles as a backup in case something ever goes wrong with my main camera.

Believe it or not that is pretty minimalist Are you doing something similar? If all the gear isn't your thing I still think some of the newer high end P&Ss or mirrorless cameras, as long as they have the ability to shoot in RAW and full manual, could take care of most of the things I do. Then you would have one small camera that fits in a tank bag and done. Many of the Bonneville shots in this thread were done with a Canon G11 because that's all I want to carry on that bike.

I recently bought a cheapo "diopter" lens that can attach to the G11, which allows you to shoot Macro at full zoom and be in focus a little further away. Last weekend when I was shooting the rainbow shot in the narrows I sat and waited a bit to see how the moving sun would affect the positioning. While sitting there I noticed these Bees on the rock doing their thing and decided to have some fun. Really tough as the depth of field is maybe a millimeter or two.

Funny here I was in the middle of amazing mountains and streams and all of my attention was focused on something the size of a dime

Had maybe the last chance to enjoy a taste of winter last weekend. A storm blew through that shut down some of my favorite spots again and left chain control in others until Saturday morning. Restrictions were lifted early for getting into Yosemite, so I couldn't pass up a chance like this.

Thought I'd share a few photos from the day and just let them do most of the talking, I can't think of any more adjectives to describe how awe inspiring this place is in these conditions.

Just past the entrance it was winter

Made new friend at Tunnel View

The landscapes are incredible, but this time I tried to focus on some more of the details that often go overlooked here when everything else is so overwhelming.

Try to use the trees to scale what a person would look like on these rock walls

Even the familiar Half Dome looks different when seen in more detail

As far as I know this seasonal run -off waterfall is unnamed

This Hiker feels small I'm sure while he tries to take in Vernal Falls from the Mist Trail.

Armed with a hot cup of coffee and fresh clear mind I took a long, slow, review of your photo's. They're so good and inspirational. I'm amazed when thinking about the bazillion people who've passed by the same fields, pastures and mountains, never seeing what you have.

Last week I visited the Okla. Museum of Art where there was temporary exhibition of A. Adams and Brett Weston. Although I've seen most of the photo's before it's always a pleasure. But, I'm here to tell you, you've got the right stuff.

Backing up a bit, both Ansell and Edward Weston go down in history partially because their work is a historical record. Much like the Indian photo's taken by Curtis at the turn of century. Your pix, in my opinion, differ from theirs. Yours bring a statement of peace and beauty which we can all enjoy. It's the kind of beauty we can hopefully preserve. It's ours for the taking.